⚖️ Valla, Wordsmith Raise, BioXcelerate launch, Bypass acquisition, VBI expansion
Here's your Campfire for the 9th of June, 2025.
💼 This issue of Campfire is sponsored by Shepherd and Wedderburn's initiative to supercharge start-ups and scale-ups. Be sure to follow the Start to Scale LinkedIn page for useful videos and posts designed to help founders.
🌊 Updates
💼 Edinburgh-based legal tech startup Valla (helps users handle employment law issues) raised £2 million in seed funding led by Ada Ventures to expand its AI-powered platform aimed at improving access to justice for millions priced out of traditional legal services. The funding, which also includes backing from Active Partners, Portfolio Ventures, Techstart Ventures, and the Resolution Foundation, will “support product development, marketing, and partnerships with unions and insurers”. UKTN DGT IN
💻 Edinburgh-based Wordsmith AI (AI infrastructure for legal teams) raised $25 million in a Series A round led by Index Ventures, becoming the fastest Scottish startup to reach a $100 million valuation. Wordsmith is also expanding to London and New York and helping shape the emerging role of 'legal engineer'. TS IN DGT LITI BM TEU
🎯 Antenna Group has taken a minority stake in Edinburgh-based AI-powered creator platform No Logo, expanding its influencer marketing capabilities. The move allows Antenna’s clients in sectors like climate, real estate, and health to connect more easily with purpose-driven creators focused on sustainability, advocacy, wellness, and social impact. YF
🤝 Edinburgh-based Bypass (fuel cards for EV-based fleets) has been acquired by loveelectric (EV salary sacrifice platform) for an undisclosed sum. The deal “will enable Loveelectric to integrate Bypass’s real-time card issuing and app technology into a new employee benefit, with both public and at-home charging soon to be available via salary sacrifice, allowing employees to pay for charging via their gross salary.” FN
🚀 Edinburgh-based BioXcelerate launched a new AI-powered platform designed to drastically accelerate drug discovery and slash genetic disease detection times by over 98%. The bioX Genetics Platform provides a “secure, compliant environment, enabling users to manage and analyse complex genetic data in minutes instead of days”. FS
💡 FinTech Scotland and TSB Labs have launched a new innovation programme focused on tackling fraud, inviting fintech startups to develop smart messaging tools, customer control features, and streamlined resolution processes. The programme builds on past successes and will offer selected companies the chance to pitch solutions directly to TSB, with potential for pilot deployment. Applications are open until 25 June 2025. DGT
🤝 The Venture Builder Incubator from the Bayes Centre at the University of Edinburgh is now open to any founder at a Scottish university: “whether you're working solo or as part of a founding team, if you're a postgraduate student or research staff who is ready to apply your expertise to real-world challenges.” More information and application for the next cohort can be found here. Application deadline: 07 July 2025.
📣 Asks & Offers
🚨 Start to Scale by Shepherd and Wedderburn is offering eligible subscribers of Campfire exclusive access to their ‘Start to Scale Hub’ which helps companies create template legal agreements in minutes for free. To learn more and request access click here.
⚙️ Registers of Scotland is hiring a Startup Community Engagement Manager (Grade: Higher Executive Officer) for Geovation Scotland, with a £38,114–£43,364 salary, generous 28.97% pension, and up to 42 days annual leave. The permanent hybrid role is based in Edinburgh or Glasgow, supporting tech startups and managing community engagement, events, and partnerships in the Scottish innovation ecosystem. More info here.
🖥️ Geovation Scotland is also hiring a Programme & Delivery Lead (maternity cover, 12–15 months) to run its startup accelerator supporting land, property, and geotech startups. Based in Edinburgh or Glasgow (hybrid), £46.6k–£55k + excellent pension and 38 days leave. Apply by 1 June 2025. More info here.
💼 Work with TopHatch: Senior Frontend Engineer (Remote, UK/Finland) Looking for a place where you can bring your whole self to work and make a real impact? TopHatch, a remote-first company behind the award-winning app Concepts, is hiring a Senior Frontend Engineer (Contract, £60–£70/hr) based in the UK or Finland to work with modern web technologies in a supportive, people-first environment. Apply here.
✈️ TravelPerk, a hyper-growth SaaS company revolutionising business travel, is hiring a Senior Software Engineer in Edinburgh. You'll work with modern tech (Python/Django, React), shape product architecture, and join a fast-paced, award-winning team trusted by brands like Wise and Red Bull. Apply here.
💻 Looking for an early-stage fractional CTO? Carlos Fontana is an Edinburgh-based experienced tech leader with over a decade of success guiding teams and defining architecture. He is the kind of technical leader who thrives where vision meets execution. He specialises in defining architecture from the ground up, building systems that are both scalable and secure, and organising technical priorities that set teams up for long-term success. If you’re looking for technical leadership support, connect and reach out to Carlos—let’s build something that matters.
👭 Interested in connecting with possible co-founders? Fill in your listing on Cofounder Curious today! Connect with others for possible cofounder matching here.
👷Are you hiring? Send us a blurb and we’ll include it in the next newsletter!
✍️ Want to write something for Campfire? Have an opinion you'd like to share? get in touch!
📅 Events
💪 10/06, 09:30 🗺️ Online: Unlock the Power of Fair Working Practices: Join us for an engaging and transformative interactive workshop that celebrates fair working practices and empowers organisations to create. MORE INFO
💼 10/06, 09:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: From Risk to Resilience: The Critical Role of Testing & QA in Startups: Join us for a session with Nadia McKay, nexa IQ, who will demystify testing for those working in startups and scaleups. MORE INFO
🔋 10/06, 13:30 🗺️ Duns: Developing a Community Energy Project: Join South of Scotland Enterprise, Local Energy Scotland & Communities about net-zero, renewables & clean heat opportunities. MORE INFO
🤖 11/06, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Edinburgh Data Science & AI Meetup: Data lakehouses + Optimising Fantasy Football with AI and plenty of networking over pizza and drinks. MORE INFO
🚀 12/06, 10:00 🗺️ Dumfries: The Next Big Leap: Scaling Women-Led Enterprises - Dumfries: Women in business: scale with strategy, not burnout. A power-packed morning of growth tools, talks & networking. MORE INFO
☕ 13/06, 10:00 🗺️ Isle of Man: Coffee & Co-working meet-up with Startup Grind Isle of Man: Whether you're new to Startup Grind, a long-time supporter, or just looking to mix up your work routine, everyone is welcome. Come say hi and plug into the local startup community! MORE INFO
🚀 16/06, 10:00 🗺️ Galashiels: The Next Big Leap: Scaling Women-Led Enterprises - Galashiels: Women in business: scale with strategy, not burnout. A power-packed morning of growth tools, talks & networking. MORE INFO
⚡️ 17/06, 14:00 🗺️ Online: Practicing your Pitch: Mentor Feedback: Our Practicing Your Pitch season is focused on supporting early startup founders as they get ready to present their ideas. Through a series of interactive online sessions, we'll be looking at different aspects of pitching and how a good pitch can change the journey of your startup. MORE INFO
👨🏻💻 17/06, 18:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: June Meetup - Geo and JS: Our talks aim to introduce members of the community, fostering networking, mentorship, learning, and collaboration. Everyone is welcome—whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned engineer. MORE INFO
🎤 18/06, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: TestTalks: Edinburgh - Career Development: Join us at TestTalks: Edinburgh for a career themed event: career stories, advice, CV workshop. MORE INFO
🔥 18/06, 18:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Fireside Chat: Becky Lumsden, Founder & CEO PURE Spa: Join us for an unforgettable evening of insight, inspiration, and entrepreneurial grit as we sit down with Becky Lumsden, the powerhouse behind PURE Spa & Beauty, a brand that has redefined wellness in the UK. MORE INFO
⚡ 19/06, 14:30 🗺️ Douglas: Developing a Community Energy Project: Join South of Scotland Enterprise and communities to hear about net-zero, renewables & clean heat opportunities. MORE INFO
✈️ 19/06, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Traveltech Meet up: Whether you're a startup founder, developer, marketer, or simply working in travel and technology, this is a chance to connect with others in the sector. MORE INFO
📌 19/06, 17:30 🗺️ Edinburgh: Product Leadership Unplugged: Join fellow product leaders for a candid evening on building high-performance teams. No fluff, just real talk, shared stories, and practical insights from those who’ve led at scale. If you're leading (or aiming to), this is your space to connect and learn. MORE INFO
🌱 19/06, 18:15 🗺️ Edinburgh: Introducing the Inner Development Goals (IDGs): Inner Growth for Outer Change: This session is for people who are interested in people, team, leadership and organizational development and who want to be share their interest with others. MORE INFO
💡 20/06, 13:00 🗺️ Online: Free Intro Session: Lewis Deep Democracy for Practitioners, Leaders and Teams: Come and learn about this empowering approach to participative leadership and conflict transformation. MORE INFO
🔗 23/06, 17:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Blockchain Scotland Meetup: Welcome to the Monthly Blockchain Scotland Meetup at the Bayes Centre in Edinburgh. The event takes place at the ground floor in G.03. MORE INFO
☕ 23/06, 18:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Startup Founders Meetup - June 2025: Tactical fireside chats with experienced entrepreneurs and speed networking with other founders, potential cofounders, and investors! MORE INFO
🔎 24/06, 09:00 🗺️ Hawick: Better Business: Driving Continuous Improvement: Practical ways to improve productivity, reduce emissions, and use AI—designed for South of Scotland businesses. MORE INFO
💡 24/06, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Good Ideas: Catalyst x Edinburgh College: Our Good Ideas: Catalyst is the perfect way to explore the potential of a new idea for social or environmental change. If you’re an early-stage innovator, in need of a change of direction or just passionate about finding a way to address a cause, Good Ideas: Catalyst is an entry point for you to explore the feasibility of a new idea. MORE INFO
💼 24/06, 10:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Co-Work Club Edinburgh: Tired of the home office grind but not ready for the daily commute? Say goodbye to crowded coffee shops and the endless search for a quiet Zoom spot. We've got the solution: Welcome to Co-Work Club @ Kimpton Hotel, Edinburgh. MORE INFO
💡 24/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Why Great Ideas Fail Without Great Teams — And How to Fix It: Great ideas fail without the right team. Join our webinar to learn what makes innovation teams succeed. MORE INFO
👌 24/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Faire: Setting your brand up for success on the marketplace: Discover how Faire helps Scottish brands and retailers grow their wholesale sales and simplify operations through one platform. MORE INFO
☀️ 24/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Clean Energy Transition Partnership Research and Innovation Funding Call: Join this webinar and learn about the 2025 Clean Energy Transition Partnership funding call. MORE INFO
👨🏻💻 24/06, 14:00 🗺️ Online: Implementing AI Agents in Your GTM Strategy: A Startups Guide: Join HubSpot for Startups and Codebase for a session on how autonomous AI Agents disrupt GTM strategies for Startups. MORE INFO
💪 24/06, 17:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Edinburgh CAN B: Join us on Tuesday 24th June to continue working together to support collaboration for an even more sustainable and inclusive Edinburgh. Members of the CAN B Movement and anyone interested in getting involved are warmly welcome to join. MORE INFO
🎓 25/06, 10:00 🗺️ Glasgow: Mastering prompt engineering with ChatGPT for global business success: Learn how to craft AI prompts that will get you more accurate, useful responses that can transform the way you work. MORE INFO
🩺 26/06, 10:00 🗺️ Aberdeen: Barclays Eagle Labs at One Tech Hub Drop in Clinic Jun 2025: Drop in and let’s have a chat about your business goals and ambitions here at One Tech Hub. MORE INFO
🎯 26/06, 11:00 🗺️ Online: Online Office Hours: Power Your Tech Venture with Burges Salmon: Elevate your Legal and Commercial Strategy with Burges Salmon, who ensure startups in growth sectors are investment and IP ready. MORE INFO
🙌 26/06, 18:00 🗺️ Alloa: Techscaler Meetup Alloa: Casual networking in Alloa for creatives, techies & founders. Drinks, food & good chat. Thurs 26 June, 5–8pm. Free—register now! MORE INFO
🤝 27/06, 09:00 🗺️ Edinburgh: Founder Friday Coworking: Join us for a day of networking and inspiration! this is your chance to connect with fellow founders, share ideas, and maybe even spark your next big project. MORE INFO
🎯 30/06, 17:30 🗺️ Northfield: Market like a Maverick – Bold moves to boost business: Make bold moves in marketing! Hear from mavericks, connect with peers, and spark fresh ideas in this energising evening session. MORE INFO
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That’s all for this week - have a great one!
Team 🔥 Campfire